Monday Morning Political Armchair Quarterback

(From the Saddleback Presidential Forum, moderated by Rick Warren)

Christianity: What does it mean to you to trust in Christ?

Obama says he is redeemed through Jesus Christ and that it is a daily source of sustenance and strength. He further explains that, “If I can get myself out of the way, that I can maybe carry out in some small way what He intends. And it means that those sins that I have on a fairly regular basis, hopefully, will be washed away.”

The American Heritage Dictionary defines Christianity as such:

The religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, sent by God. They believe that Jesus, by dying and rising from the dead, made up for the sin of Adam and thus redeemed the world, allowing all who believe in him to enter heaven. Christians rely on the Bible as the inspired word of God.

So if you are a Christian, knowing you are redeemed, meaning your sin debt has been paid in full, there should be no doubt that no matter how many times you screw up in God’s eyes, you are still saved. Of course, as a Christian, you should then pursue an even closer relationship with God which naturally keeps you from sinning as much as you did when you were not saved. Yes, you will sin, we all have and will, but as Christians, we should never stray from the path as we once did. I had to review that little clip several times because when Obama says, “And it means that those sins that I have on a fairly regular basis, hopefully, will be washed away.”, moderator, Rick Warren chuckles but Obama never cracked a smile. Perhaps he was trying to get the answer we Christians wanted to hear out of the way so he could to move on to another point? Perhaps he was having problems getting his point across? As a Christian, I have no problem explaining what Jesus Christ did for me and I have fervor sharing the Gospel to those who want to learn more, so as you can see, Obama’s response so far, left me scratching my head. Does he doubt his salvation? Did he not attend a church who’s doxology reads:

“You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end.”

Most people would gloss over it and continue to listen; when I heard it, I just thought that sounded rather awkward. He continues to his next point…

“But what it also means, I think, is a sense of obligation to embrace not just words but through deeds. The expectations I think that God has for us, and that means, thinking about the least of these, it means acting, well, acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly… with our God. And that, I think trying to apply those lessons on a daily basis, knowing that you’re gonna fall a little bit short each day and being able to kind of take note, saying, “Well, that didn’t quite work out the way I think it should have but maybe I can get a little bit better.” It gives me the confidence to try things, including things like running for president, where you’re gonna screw up once in a while.”

I think I get the gist of his conclusion but it still leaves me confused. After all, why would I be rewinding my DVR to gain a better understanding of his response? I know there are several degrees of Christ following. The more you choose to have Christ be the model of your life, the more the Light of Christ shines for others to see. Kind of like the “lighthouse in the dark storm” metaphor. Some will have a 100,000 watt bulb in the lighthouse, others may have 10 watts, while others may even have a three-way bulb. You are given by God the light bulb that best suits you, how much you want to let this bulb shine for others is totally up to you. At least, 75% of the population of this country are Christians and they’re not all of the same degree. Some are close to the lighthouse while others are way off course. After this initial question posed to Obama, I feel like the lights are on but the glass is a little foggy and not allowing as bright a light to shine through.

Abortion: 40 million abortions since Roe v Wade. At what point does a baby get human rights, in your view.

Obama plays this answer in as diplomatic a way as possible. Not wanting to step on anyone’s toes, he quickly points out that the answer will vary depending on where your viewpoint comes from and that his ability to answer that question with specificity is “above my paygrade.” Ironically enough, he then, at length, proceeds to answer on his general thoughts with specificity – I think.

Point 1 for him: “There is a moral and ethical element to this issue. And so, I think, anybody who tries to deny the moral difficulties and gravity of the abortion issue, I think, is not paying attention.”

Point 2 for him: “I am pro-choice. I believe in Roe versus Wade and I come to that conclusion not because I am pro-abortion, but because ultimately I don’t think women make these decisions casually. I think they wrestle with these things in profound ways. In consultation with their pastors, or their spouses, or their doctors, their family members…”

Honestly, the rest of his response started to sound like radio static because like a Pavlov dog, my ears will only start to listen once I hear the answer to the question given. Was he not being redundant when he stated in his first point that if you deny the issues, then you’re not paying attention? Hello?!! Hey Obama, in the dictionary, under “redundant” it says “see Redundant”! He continue by stating he’s pro-choice, that abortions have not gone down even during the Bush Administration, he wants to work together to reduce unwanted pregnancies, healthcare needs to be available, blah, blah, blah, then all of a sudden, he manages to get to the real crux of the question – I think.

“If you believe that life begins at conception then, and you are consistent on that belief, then I can’t argue with you on that because that is a core issue of faith for you. What I can do is say, “Are there ways that we can work together to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies?” So that we actually are reducing the sense that women are seeking out abortions, and as an example of that, one of the things I’ve talked about is how do we provide the resources that will allow a women the choice to keep a child?”

Nope. I don’t think he answered the question posed on him. He managed to avoid the question by taking two steps back and explaining that perhaps if women are more educated and provided the resources we would control the number of abortions. But the problem remains the same. There are still going to be a large number of women who are going to get abortions. So, Mr. Obama, you still need to address at what point does a baby get human rights? I didn’t appreciate the smoke and mirrors response.

Marriage: Define marriage.

Finally, he gets applause from the audience (because he finally answers a question?) by clearly stating that marriage is a union between a man and a women, AND he adds, “As a Christian, it is also a sacred union. God’s in the mix.” So naturally, Rick Warren, begs the question of whether Obama should put his money where his mouth is by ammending the constitution with this definition. Immediately, he answer that he wouldn’t because historically we never defined marriage in the Constitution. OK, logistically he’s got a point there. As a believer, I understand that God has given us a “free will” to do as we please. As an American citizen, we are given the inalienable rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As a Christ-follower, we also understand that we are to not be stumbling blocks for other and that we always need to pursue His will for His glory. So in this instance, he tries to please God with his words of the definition of marriage but then also pleases the party that supports him. We cannot serve both sides because eventually, one side will suffer.

That’s a lot to chew on, isn’t it? It is for me. I’m trying to understand this because I feel there is a duty as a citizen to know the candidates and a Christian to know how God wants me to see the candidates for who they are. If I appear to sound against Obama, it’s not my intention. McCain will be seen with the same scrutiny when I get to see what he says.